His stepson, Joseph M. Neay, 22, was arrested Friday afternoon and jailed in the Pottawatomie County Public Safety Center, Frantz said. Formal charges have not been filed.

Frantz said a postal carrier delivering mail reported smoke coming from the house at 709 E. 11th just before 10 a.m. Shawnee firefighters responded to the house fire, where they found a body inside that home, the chief said.

Frantz, who said it was more of a smoldering-type fire, said damage from the fire was minimal inside the home, but police quickly sealed off the area and began a homicide investigation based on evidence found at the scene. Along with the assault and stab wounds, the body was partially burned, Frantz said.

At the onset of the probe, Frantz said investigators believed a fire was set in attempts to cover up the death. Police were questioning two persons of interest in the case within a few hours of the discovery of the body, and by mid-afternoon, had arrested Neay.

Frantz, who said Neay does not reside at the same home as Jones, said in addition to working the crime scene at the residence, officers obtained a search warrant late Friday to search Neay's residence, located in the area of Philadelphia and 11th streets. Authorities also searched the railroad tracks off Highland Street Friday afternoon.

The chief confirms that police have recovered a knife that is believed to be the possible murder weapon.

A domestic-related issue may be a factor in this case, but Frantz said the investigation was ongoing Friday night as detectives were still interviewing possible witnesses.

The state medical examiner also will perform an autopsy on Jones to determine cause of death.